We investigated the contribution of cave-roosting bats to nutrient input into aquatic ecosystems in caves with underground streams in Costa Rica, Bulgaria and Borneo. Our results showed that the water exiting caves with large bat colonies has higher levels of nutrients and those nutrients are further assimilated by plants on river banks. Our study shows that cave bats provide additional ecosystem service, namely providing nutrients to surface aquatic ecosystems.
Presenter: Stanimira Deleva
Caving club: NEPIAST, Burgas, Bulgaria
Type: oral presentation
Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology
Short bio of the presenter: Stanimira Deleva is a biologist, cave explorer, and conservationist, currently pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Costa Rica.